***Official*** India in South Africa

[haroon510]

i am with sa. the reason for that is shaun pollock. this guy is just an awsome cricketer. i would love to see Sa wining this match. if rain stops then Sa would win it easly. if not it is just a mircle for indians as they were losing this match.

 

[Dravid]

Things not looking good here for saf. It's still raining, the supersoaker is messed up, and how are they going to dry the ground, only god knows.


From an Indian point of view, I'm really happy that rain is with us this time, instead of against us

 

[Jono]

How the hell did the supersoaker run out of gas? Surely they think of these things.

Far out, forget whether it favoured one side or another, so much has gone wrong this test. You wouldn't be blamed in thinking its a club side game, not a test match with a series and muchos money on the line.

Regarding the game, it could come down to SA needing their 100 runs in quick time, say 4 an over or so if the rain keeps going like this. To stop this, Ind could just bowl wide of leg stump in the footholes and pack the leg side.

All sorts of things could happen from here. To think this match hasn't had enough twists and turns.

 

[TT Boy]

Still raining in Cape Town but it is only really light showers, once there pass, play should resume almost immediately. Also fantastic lights in Newlands, South Africa will bat in the dark to finish this game off if need be.

 

[marc71178]

Robin Jackman is the biggest idiot I've ever seen in the commentary box. He's literally bull****ting his way now to demand that Ganguly should've been timed out.
The umpires messed up, FFS.

It's always easy to blame the umpires isn't it.

Surely someone in the dressing room also knows the rules?

 

[Dravid]

It's always easy to blame the umpires isn't it.

Surely someone in the dressing room also knows the rules?

Marc, quick question. Did you watch the match?

 

[marc71178]

Shouldn't have to appeal. The umpires would've been aware of what exactly was going on. Do you have to appeal for a bowled?

Technically, yes you do.

 

[marc71178]

There was enough time to figure out the exact time, but the umpires are responsible for informing India of that time.

Are they really?

Where does it say that in the rules then?

 

[Jono]

Wow, still raining.

What's the rule say if it stopped raining by 5pm, light was fine, and the outfield and conditions were fine to play again, but the scheduled close of play is 5:30? How much longer can they go for?

 

[Dravid]

Are they really?

Where does it say that in the rules then?

Marc, figure out the situation first.


Sachin was padded up to come in, but Jaffer got out 4 mins early prior to when Sachin was allowed to come in. He was walking down but he was told he could not by the officials because of the time. No one else was padded up so Ganguly had to get padded up. No official told Sachin when he could come out prior to the situation.


With that said, India should have asked and figure it out during the night., but they are not the only one you can blame for this.

 

[Dravid]

Wow, still raining.

What's the rule say if it stopped raining by 5pm, light was fine, and the outfield and conditions were fine to play again, but the scheduled close of play is 5:30? How much longer can they go for?

If I'm correct, it's 1 more hour if light supports you.

 

[marc71178]

Umpire Harper said at the lunch break, "South African boys did discuss the possibility of a time-out, but this is real cricket ... This is Test cricket. I explained the situation to them and said I wouldn't give them out. You have to consider the circumstances and these were exceptional ones."

Which is fair enough.

It was clearly brought on by the 2 quick wickets confusing everyone - no doubt the time off the field wasn't even considered an issue (mind you with Sehwag opening the possibility was there )

Since India clearly weren't trying to get any advantage it would not have been appropriate to appeal against him.

However, had they then sent Tendulkar out at 10.48 (or whenever it was) - SA would defintiely have been within their rights to appeal.

 

[Jono]

Update: 13:40 local, 11:40 GMT - Dileep Premachandran informs me that the ground staff just took one of the outfield covers off, and then promptly dragged it back on again. Its still very overcast, and though the drizzle has stopped, there's a very real threat of more rain.

Yikes, honestly this is one of the weirdest tests I've ever seen.

 

[TT Boy]

India could get away with this, its still raining and by the looks of it won’t stop anytime soon. South Africa will be suicidal if that is the case, after Jo’Burg they did really step it up and looked like the only team who fancied it.

 

[adharcric]

It's always easy to blame the umpires isn't it.

Yes it is. That doesn't make it wrong to do so.

Surely someone in the dressing room also knows the rules?

In retrospect, the Indian manager should have taken note of Sachin's situation and been aware of the restriction. That would be preferable but not necessary.

 

[adharcric]

Are they really?

Where does it say that in the rules then?

Asad Rauf answered that question in the affirmative at the end of yesterday's play.

 

[adharcric]

India could get away with this, its still raining and by the looks of it won’t stop anytime soon. South Africa will be suicidal if that is the case, after Jo’Burg they did really step it up and looked like the only team who fancied it.

That's right. Barring Sreesanth, Kumble and perhaps a few others, the Indians seemed to be on the defensive after going up 1-0. This series has been all about disgraceful batting and when it comes to disgraceful batting, the Indians have a knack of rising to the occasion.

 

[Dravid]

Update: 13:40 local, 11:40 GMT - Dileep Premachandran informs me that the ground staff just took one of the outfield covers off, and then promptly dragged it back on again. Its still very overcast, and though the drizzle has stopped, there's a very real threat of more rain.

Yikes, honestly this is one of the weirdest tests I've ever seen.

I just hope it keeps on raining from an Indian point of view. For the sake of the game, I hope it stops.

 

[TT Boy]

Cricinfo.com "Update:13:53 local, 11:53 GMT - Dileep adds: the Super Sopper appears to be out of whack, so the water on the covers, and there's a lot of it, is having to be removed manually. Even if there's no more rain, it's doubtful that we could start in under an hour."

Doesn't look good for South Africa...

 

[Dravid]

According to the guys on TV, there is still a drizzle